US7678201B2 - Composition and process for the removal and recovery of hydrocarbons from substrates - Google Patents
Composition and process for the removal and recovery of hydrocarbons from substrates Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US7678201B2 US7678201B2 US11/491,790 US49179006A US7678201B2 US 7678201 B2 US7678201 B2 US 7678201B2 US 49179006 A US49179006 A US 49179006A US 7678201 B2 US7678201 B2 US 7678201B2
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- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 71
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 title claims abstract description 58
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 title claims abstract description 58
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 53
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 52
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 title description 8
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 75
- -1 ammonia compound Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 59
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N ammonia Natural products N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 239000008365 aqueous carrier Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 235000019441 ethanol Nutrition 0.000 claims description 51
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 claims description 51
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims description 34
- KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isopropanol Chemical compound CC(C)O KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 32
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- BDERNNFJNOPAEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N propan-1-ol Chemical compound CCCO BDERNNFJNOPAEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- LRHPLDYGYMQRHN-UHFFFAOYSA-N N-Butanol Chemical compound CCCCO LRHPLDYGYMQRHN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004094 surface-active agent Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000839 emulsion Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 13
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 12
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 11
- 239000003921 oil Substances 0.000 description 9
- 150000001298 alcohols Chemical class 0.000 description 7
- 239000010813 municipal solid waste Substances 0.000 description 6
- VHUUQVKOLVNVRT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonium hydroxide Chemical compound [NH4+].[OH-] VHUUQVKOLVNVRT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 239000000908 ammonium hydroxide Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000003209 petroleum derivative Substances 0.000 description 5
- 238000009412 basement excavation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 3
- 125000001495 ethyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 3
- 239000002920 hazardous waste Substances 0.000 description 3
- 150000002978 peroxides Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 239000012071 phase Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000005067 remediation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 3
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O Ammonium Chemical compound [NH4+] QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 description 2
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen peroxide Chemical compound OO MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 238000003795 desorption Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007791 liquid phase Substances 0.000 description 2
- 125000002496 methyl group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])* 0.000 description 2
- 230000000813 microbial effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 125000001436 propyl group Chemical group [H]C([*])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[H] 0.000 description 2
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000003863 ammonium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000001580 bacterial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000003153 chemical reaction reagent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010494 dissociation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005593 dissociations Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002803 fossil fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000383 hazardous chemical Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013056 hazardous product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical group [H]* 0.000 description 1
- 125000002887 hydroxy group Chemical group [H]O* 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000069 nitrogen hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010852 non-hazardous waste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009972 noncorrosive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000252 nontoxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000003000 nontoxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008092 positive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002243 precursor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007670 refining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 231100000241 scar Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 239000013049 sediment Substances 0.000 description 1
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004575 stone Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
- B09C—RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
- B09C1/00—Reclamation of contaminated soil
- B09C1/002—Reclamation of contaminated soil involving in-situ ground water treatment
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
- B09C—RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
- B09C1/00—Reclamation of contaminated soil
- B09C1/08—Reclamation of contaminated soil chemically
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/20—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by degassing, i.e. liberation of dissolved gases
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/26—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by extraction
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
- C02F1/66—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by neutralisation; pH adjustment
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2101/00—Nature of the contaminant
- C02F2101/30—Organic compounds
- C02F2101/32—Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
- C02F2103/06—Contaminated groundwater or leachate
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2103/00—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated
- C02F2103/10—Nature of the water, waste water, sewage or sludge to be treated from quarries or from mining activities
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2303/00—Specific treatment goals
- C02F2303/18—Removal of treatment agents after treatment
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F2305/00—Use of specific compounds during water treatment
- C02F2305/04—Surfactants, used as part of a formulation or alone
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
- C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
- C11D2111/00—Cleaning compositions characterised by the objects to be cleaned; Cleaning compositions characterised by non-standard cleaning or washing processes
- C11D2111/10—Objects to be cleaned
- C11D2111/14—Hard surfaces
- C11D2111/20—Industrial or commercial equipment, e.g. reactors, tubes or engines
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a chemical composition and a process for using the chemical composition to remove and recover petroleum hydrocarbons from a contaminated substrate.
- Examples of previously used methods for removing petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated soils include, for example, excavation, microbial remediation, phytoregeneration, thermal desorption, incineration and soil washing; however, these previously used methods have been expensive, difficult or dangerous to use, inefficient and/or have not provided the desired degree of separation of the components in the substrate. Further, none of the previously used methods allow for recovery of petroleum hydrocarbons for refining.
- drill cuttings are another example of a substrate that can become contaminated.
- Drill cuttings are the accumulated mixture of drilling mud, rock fragments, sediment, fluids, solids and/or specialty chemicals produced in connection with the drilling of exploration, appraisal and production wells. Hydrocarbons are often found in these cuttings. Industry has traditionally used large vertical separators such as the VERTI-GTM dryer to reduce the hydrocarbon and water liquid phase from the cuttings; however, dryers are inefficient and/or have not provided the desired degree of separation of components in the substrate. The most efficient dryers leave between 3% and 10% of the liquid phase in the substrate. Further, these separators did not clean the drill cuttings sufficiently to classify the cuttings as non-hazardous waste suitable for dumping or use in other applications.
- the present invention advantageously meets one or more of these needs and provides a composition and method for recovering petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated substrates.
- the invention includes a chemical composition having organic chemicals, the chemical composition being effective to stimulate the separation, removal and/or recovery of petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated substrates such as ground soil deposits, petroleum drilling cuttings or similar applications.
- the invention also includes a process for recovering petroleum hydrocarbons and similar hydrocarbon oils from contaminated substrates using the chemical composition.
- the process also provides for cleaning of substrates.
- the chemical composition preferably includes a nitrogen-containing compound, an alcohol compound, or a combination of both blended in an aqueous carrier solution.
- the nitrogen-containing compound is preferably ammonia or ammonium hydroxide.
- the aqueous carrier solution is of sufficient volume to disperse at least one of the nitrogen-containing compound and the alcohol compound in the aqueous carrier solution.
- the nitrogen-containing compound and the alcohol compound are preferably substantially distributed throughout the carrier fluid.
- concentrations of the nitrogen-containing compound and the alcohol compound in the chemical composition are in amounts effective to promote the separation of petroleum hydrocarbons from the substrate when the substrate is brought into contact with the chemical composition. While heating is not required, slight elevation of temperature has shown positive effects.
- the chemical composition is preferably noncorrosive, nonreactive, nontoxic and nonflammable.
- the alcohol compound useful in the chemical composition of the invention contains from about one to about eight carbon atoms.
- the alcohol compound is preferably non-aromatic. More particularly, alcohols containing one to four carbons are particularly useful, i.e. methyl, ethyl, propyl, and/or butyl alcohol. Of the propyl alcohols, isopropyl alcohol is particularly preferred. Alcohol is preferred in an amount of approximately 4 to 24 percent by volume of the chemical composition.
- a preferred carrier solution is water. This solution can also be fresh water or brine. Aqueous carrier solutions are preferred. In a preferred embodiment, there is only one carrier solution and it is substantially all water. The carrier solution in an amount of approximately 76 to 94 percent by volume of the chemical composition is preferred.
- the nitrogen-containing compound of the chemical composition is preferably ammonia or ammonium hydroxide, and is present in an amount of approximately 2 to 8 percent by volume of the chemical composition.
- hydrogen peroxide is present in an amount of approximately 0.15 to 1.5 percent by volume in the chemical composition.
- This invention includes a process for recovering petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated substrates located in ground soil.
- the process of the invention includes treating the contaminated ground soil with the chemical composition, and passing the treated contaminated ground soil through one or more of a mixer, a vertical hopper and a dryer in order to facilitate removal of substantially all of the hydrocarbons from the ground soil.
- the present invention also includes a process for recovering petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated substrates located in contaminated drill cuttings.
- the contaminated drill cuttings are treated with the chemical composition, and the treated contaminated drill cuttings are passed through at least a dryer in order to facilitate removal of substantially all of the hydrocarbons from the cuttings.
- FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of a process for petroleum hydrocarbons recovery that includes treating contaminated ground soil with a chemical composition in a mixer and passing the treated contaminated ground soil through a vertical hopper according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of a process for petroleum hydrocarbons recovery that includes treating contaminated drilling cuttings with a chemical composition in a dryer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- the composition and process of the present invention may be utilized to remove and recover petroleum hydrocarbons from contaminated ground soil.
- the contaminated soil is first collected from the ground and passed through a screening device (not shown), for example a shaker, in order to sort and remove larger and/or medium sized trash and debris.
- larger trash can be, for example, more than 1.00 cubic foot in size
- medium-sized trash can be, for example, between 0.25 and 1.00 cubic feet in size.
- the screening device has shaking or vibrating stainless steel screens that allow the contaminated soil to sift through while the trash and debris are trapped in the screens, removed and eventually collected in a trough.
- trash and debris examples include chunks of wood, stone, rocks, plastic bottles and metal trash.
- the screening device insures that the larger objects do not pass along to subsequent stages of the process.
- a secondary screener/sorter can be used to separate any additional debris from the contaminated soil.
- the additional debris can be incinerated and/or high-pressure chemical spray can be used to recover hydrocarbons from the captured debris materials.
- the contaminated soil can be transported to one or more subsequent stages of the process via an auger or conveyor 10 .
- the soil is transported via conveyor 10 to a chemical/soil mixer 20 .
- the mixer 20 is similar to a large, mobile concrete mixer. The size of the mixer 20 is preferably based upon the volume of contaminated soils to be processed. It is typically necessary to have the capability to process hundreds or even thousands of tons of contaminated soil per hour.
- the contaminated soil is mixed with the chemical composition of the present invention to form treated soil 22 .
- the mixing phase allows the chemical to contact the substrate in order to break the surface tension between the hydrocarbon and the substrate.
- the chemical composition can be supplied from a chemical storage tank 30 as illustrated by stream 32 , or from another source as is understood by those skilled in the art.
- the chemical composition completely wets the contaminated soil while the soil and chemical composition are agitated in the mixer 20 such that the resulting treated soil 22 is in the form of a slurry solution.
- the treated soil 22 exits the mixer 20 via stream 24 and falls or is supplied into a vertical hopper 40 with a conical bottom 45 .
- the hopper 40 is at least partially filled with the chemical composition of the present invention. As the treated soil 22 travels through the hopper 40 , it comes into contact with the chemical composition inside the hopper 40 .
- the chemical wets the treated soil 22 even further, preferably causing the slurry material to separate into layers or phases.
- the layers preferably include a petroleum hydrocarbon layer, a cleaned soil layer and an aqueous chemical layer. In a preferred embodiment, only these three layers exist, with only some traces of other components.
- the petroleum hydrocarbon will substantially separate from the treated soil 22 and form a layer that floats to the surface, where it can be skimmed and removed from the hopper 40 .
- Suitable separation space is provided within hopper 40 .
- the hydrocarbon can be transported to, for example, an oil production storage tank.
- the cleaned soil, substantially devoid of hydrocarbon will preferably form a layer that sinks to the bottom of the hopper 40 and eventually settles into the conical bottom 45 .
- the aqueous chemical preferably also forms its own distinct layer.
- a liquid layer containing hydrocarbon and aqueous chemical composition will form within the hopper 40 and can be separated from the cleaned solids.
- This liquid layer is sent via line 55 to an oil/chemical separator 50 for further separation of the components.
- the separator 50 the petroleum hydrocarbons are separated from the aqueous chemical composition and sent to a production facility or other desired location, and the remaining chemical composition is recovered and returned to the chemical tank 30 or mixer 20 or used for another desired purpose.
- the cleaned soil that settles into the conical bottom 45 of the hopper 40 is fed via line 56 to a vertical dryer 60 , for example a VERTI-GTM-type centrifuge, to recover any residual hydrocarbon and/or chemical composition from the cleaned soil.
- the dryer 60 limits the loss of chemical due to absorption in the soil substrate to about 1-2% by volume.
- the residual hydrocarbon and/or chemical composition recovered from the cleaned soil can be transported via line 65 to the separator 50 , if necessary, for further treatment.
- the cleaned soil in the dryer 60 is then preferably removed from the dryer 60 via line 75 and tested for hazardous material content.
- the soil can be used, for example, to fill the excavation scar from which it was originally removed. If, however, a high level of hazardous materials is present, the soil is preferably sent through a second, smaller process unit according to the present invention (not shown) in order to achieve the desired material content. If desired, soil can also be tested in a similar fashion at or near line 56 upon removal from the conical bottom 45 of the hopper 40 .
- FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which hydrocarbons are recovered from petroleum drilling cuttings, as would typically be produced by a drill bore on a petroleum drilling rig.
- cuttings are produced at a rate of about twenty tons per hour depending on the speed and diameter of the drill bore.
- these cuttings are initially passed through a large cuttings dryer, for example a VERTI-GTM-type dryer, on the drilling rig in order to separate and remove a majority percentage of the hydrocarbon oil from the cuttings.
- the cuttings contain about 3-5% oil content after treatment in the cuttings dryer.
- the “dried” cuttings from the cuttings dryer are passed through an additional, smaller dryer 60 such as, for example, a vertical, two-phase centrifuge.
- the chemical composition of the present invention is contacted with the “dried” cuttings inside of the dryer 60 .
- the chemical composition can be supplied to the dryer 60 from a chemical storage tank 30 , an oil/chemical separator 50 , or another source as is understood by those skilled in the art.
- the petroleum hydrocarbon will preferably form its own layer which floats and is substantially separate from the drilling cuttings inside the dryer.
- the cleaned cuttings, preferably substantially devoid of hydrocarbon will be collected in a cleaned cuttings collector 70 positioned at or near the bottom of the dryer 60 .
- the cuttings contain less than 1% hydrocarbon oil and thus would not be classified as hazardous waste. These cleaned cuttings could be scattered on the ocean floor or near a land-based rig or otherwise disposed of subject to EPA approval.
- the petroleum hydrocarbon and chemical composition are removed from the dryer 60 and be transported via line 65 to an oil/chemical separator 50 for further separation. After separation, the hydrocarbons can be removed from separator 50 and sent via line 80 to a production facility or other desired location, and the chemical composition can be removed from separator 50 and recycled via line 85 for use in treating another batch of cuttings in the dryer 60 .
- the process for treating drilling cuttings as shown in FIG. 2 and the process for soil remediation illustrated in FIG. 1 can be performed using the same equipment; however, this is not always the case.
- contaminated ground soil can contain foreign objects, and thus the use of a screener to remove these objects can be advantageous in certain embodiments.
- a vertical dryer 60 can be especially advantageous in certain drill cutting-related embodiments.
- the chemical composition of the present invention can be recycled and reused without the need for significant treatment.
- the chemical composition of the present invention will preferably form its own distinct aqueous layer that can be easily removed from the mixer 20 , hopper 40 and/or dryer 60 and treated so that it can be reused.
- the chemical composition does not appear to saponify, emulsify, damage or react with petroleum hydrocarbons, nor is a significant amount of the composition dissolved into or entrained in the petroleum hydrocarbons. Thus, the chemical can be easily recovered and reused.
- the chemical composition includes a nitrogen-containing compound, an alcohol compound and an aqueous carrier solution.
- Alcohols can generally be defined as R—OH where R is a combination of carbon and hydrogen atoms, water being excluded from such definition.
- the preferred alcohol of the invention is straight chained, as opposed to an aromatic, and has a continuous chain of carbon atoms from 1 to 8 carbons long. Saturated alcohols are generally preferred, as they tend to be more stable than unsaturated alcohols. Methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and butyl alcohol are preferred. Propyl alcohol is particularly preferred. Of the propyl alcohols, isopropyl alcohol is particularly preferred.
- alcohols can also be created in situ, for example, through the reaction of salts with appropriate reagents in the presence of water. Creation of the alcohol in situ is also encompassed in this invention.
- surfactants can be added to the chemical composition in order to decrease the water-oil interfacial tension and to improve the efficiency.
- the invention provides efficient results through the use of a combination of only the carrier solution and one or more of the nitrogen-containing compound and the alcohol compound.
- the nitrogen containing compound is preferably ammonia.
- Ammonia can be provided in many forms, the preferred forms being anhydrous ammonia and ammonium hydroxide.
- Ammonia can be produced by reaction or dissociation.
- Ammonium ions such as dissolved ammonium salts are also encompassed within the invention.
- Ammonia is quite soluble in water, dissolving to the extent of about 700 volumes in 1 volume of solvent. The dissolving process is accompanied by the reaction NH3+H2O thereby producing NH4++OH—. This is referred to as ammonium hydroxide. Therefore, ammonium hydroxide, which is often produced commercially with significant amounts of ammonia in water, is included in the term ammonia in this invention.
- other precursors that form the ammonium ion in situ are also encompassed.
- Isopropyl alcohol also known as isopropanol, has a formula of C 3 H 8 O and is unsaturated. This is a particularly preferred alcohol compound of the invention. It is noted that isopropyl alcohol has a boiling point of 82.4 degrees C. and specific gravity of 0.78 at 20 degrees C. The air odor threshold concentration of isopropyl alcohol to be as 22 parts per million (ppm) parts of air. Contact between isopropyl alcohol and air occasionally results in the formation of peroxides, another possible element of the composition, whether added or created in situ. Therefore, in an embodiment of the invention, peroxide is formed from isopropyl alcohol. In another embodiment, peroxide is added to the composition when, for example, no isopropyl alcohol is present.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Soil Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (22)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US11/491,790 US7678201B2 (en) | 2005-07-22 | 2006-07-24 | Composition and process for the removal and recovery of hydrocarbons from substrates |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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US70172105P | 2005-07-22 | 2005-07-22 | |
US11/491,790 US7678201B2 (en) | 2005-07-22 | 2006-07-24 | Composition and process for the removal and recovery of hydrocarbons from substrates |
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US20070023362A1 US20070023362A1 (en) | 2007-02-01 |
US7678201B2 true US7678201B2 (en) | 2010-03-16 |
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US11/491,790 Expired - Fee Related US7678201B2 (en) | 2005-07-22 | 2006-07-24 | Composition and process for the removal and recovery of hydrocarbons from substrates |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100126936A1 (en) * | 2008-11-24 | 2010-05-27 | Arkansas Reclamation Co., Llc | Process and facility for treating waste drilling mud |
US20100130387A1 (en) * | 2008-11-24 | 2010-05-27 | Arkansas Reclamation Co., Llc | Method and Facility for Treating Waste Drilling Mud |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US7678201B2 (en) * | 2005-07-22 | 2010-03-16 | Coriba Technologies, L.L.C. | Composition and process for the removal and recovery of hydrocarbons from substrates |
Citations (42)
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US2718514A (en) | 1954-07-29 | 1955-09-20 | Monsanto Chemicals | Process for preparing salts of sulfonated polystyrene |
US3334688A (en) | 1964-04-13 | 1967-08-08 | Exxon Production Research Co | Miscible displacement process using modified alcohol banks |
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